February 5, 2020
A Reconciling in Christ synod
ELCA presiding bishop issues response to President Trump’s “Peace to Prosperity” document
ELCA Presiding Bishop  Elizabeth Eaton has issued a issued a response to President Trump’s announced “Peace to Prosperity” document. The plan would “bring greater insecurity for Israelis and Palestinians instead of peace,” the statement read, in part.

“Rather than drawing together Israelis and Palestinians to reach a peace accord, the effect of this plan will be further alienation and, I am afraid, more tension, with the possibility of new, violent responses. This path will not lead to peace with justice. It will not promote reconciliation. But it will reinforce extremists in Israel, in Palestine and throughout the region, decreasing security for everyone.”

Church Becoming
In the recent edition of Living Lutheran, they explore the connection between technology and the church and quotes our synod assembly speaker, Rev. Jason Chestnut. A fitting reflection as we prepare to gather digitally for this year's synod assembly.
A 21st-century church - Living Lutheran

When you think about technology in the church, does projecting song lyrics onto a screen for worship come to mind? Or is it something bigger in scope-like a live Twitter conversation discussing real-life events and how they tie into faith?

Read more
www.livinglutheran.org
2020 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly, May 1-2
Assembly Highlights:
  • Keynote Speaker Rev. Jason Chesnut, co-founder of The Slate Project
  • Worship celebrating the anniversaries of Women's Ordination
  • Afternoon learning immersions developed for each location

As part of or exploration of "Church Becoming" we are experimenting with regional assembly gatherings in 2020:
  • Utah/Metro West Mountain: Ascension, St. Matthew, Price, UT
  • Wyoming/North Colorado: Ascension, Cheyenne, WY
  • Boulder-Broomfield/Metro East/Metro West Metro: Cross of Christ, Broomfield, CO
  • Metro South/Southeast Colorado: Trinity, Monument, CO
  • Border/North New Mexico: Cross of Hope, Albuquerque, NM

Registration:
Registration is now live! Be sure to check out the Location Details to find out which location you will be gathering at!

Nominations/Elections:
A number of boards and committees, along with Synod Council, are electing new members.
  • Global Mission: seeking a lay member whose congregation is actively engaged in supporting missionaries or global accompaniment
  • Consultation and Discipline Committees
  • Congregational Ministries Board: 5 at-large members
  • Synod Council: Seeking a number of conference specific leaders as well as folks with legal expertise and building/construction experience

The full list of open positions, as well as the nomination form, can be found on the Nominations Page. Nomination deadline is MARCH 20, and we will not be receiving nominations from the floor.

Resolutions:
Information regarding resolutions is available on the website. The Committee on Reference and Counsel requests anyone anticipating submitting a resolution submit a resolution intent form by February 1. This is not an official resolution submission, but is helpful in anticipating what business will go before the assembly. The deadline for submitting a resolution is March 20. Bishop Gonia requests that Memorials be deferred until 2021.

Contact Deacon Erin Power for questions regarding assembly.
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
PLTS: Equipping Leaders for the Life of the World!
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) has launched a new concentration in Climate, Justice, and Faith for their Master of Divinity (MDiv) program. As Dr . Cynthia Moe-Lobeda shares, "It is so utterly crucial that faith communities provide leadership in moving our world away from climate catastrophe and toward the flourishing of God’s marvelous creation."

This new concentration seeks to empower leaders to cultivate moral, spiritual, and practical power for the work of climate justice in communities of faith.The concentration is meant for students who have an interest in focusing more deeply on earth-honoring theology, ethics, spirituality, and practices that connect ecological well-being with racial, economic, and gender justice.

Thank you PLTS for being partners in ministry for the sake of all God's creation!

RMS-ELCA News and Events
Here's your 2020 Better Together Checklist!
__Submit your Annual Report to the Bishop
 
Last year our new online bishop report form worked great. It's way better than those old, frustrating .pdf forms! There's "one click" for all pastors and deacons , whether or not you are  active retired on-leave , or on  disability . You'll get different questions depending on what you click on in the form.
 
Please note:  The form is not confidential to the bishop.  It may be read/reviewed by other staff members other than the bishop. If you have a confidential matter to share with Bishop Gonia, please  email him separately , or call the office for an appointment.
The traditional deadline is February 15, but reports will be received through March.

__Submit your Mission Support 2020 Intentions by March 1
 
Because we are "better together," the mission and ministry that is accomplished in unity is more than could ever be accomplished by one congregation alone. Please submit your congregation's Mission Support 2020 Intention, so that we can finalize our 2020 expenditures and extend our gratitude to you! Contact  Deniese Estrada  with questions. Please submit your intention by March 1. Click the button below, read the page, and scroll to the bottom for the form link. Other resources are available at this link, such as the RMS page for your Annual Report.

__Complete your ELCA Congregational Report by March 1
 
The annual parochial report with your congregation's statistics for the last year is an essential piece for understanding how we are church together. The form is available online. You will need your congregation ID number and password. If you need assistance with that information, please contact  Deniese Estrada , RMS finance administrator.
Ready to share a smile with someone special this Valentine’s Day?
Give a  fruit-tree seedling  ($10),  honeybees  ($20) or a  piglet  ($30) in honor of your valentine and help someone around the world overcome hunger and poverty. Each gift provides a sustainable source of food, income or both, to help a family in need. This Valentine’s Day, let us share the love of Christ far and wide!
Donate now and you can mail, print or email one of our  limited-edition cards  to let your valentine know about your gift. All card options are available after checkout.
For Your Bulletin
Installation

Rev. Nate Preisinger
Bethany , Denver, CO
2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 9
Color of the Day: Green
RMS Prayer Cycle

FEBRUARY 2020
BORDER CONFERENCE

- Week of February 9 -

Our Savior - Alamogordo, NM
Michael Degner

Peace - Las Cruces, NM
Jared Carson
Laura Carson

Peace - El Paso, TX
Diana Linden-Johnson

Join us in daily prayer:
Download  ELCA Prayer Ventures  for daily guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. 
Sunday, February 9
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Prayer of the Day

Lord God, with endless mercy you receive the prayers of all who call upon you. By your Spirit show us the things we ought to do, and give us the grace and power to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches

09 - 15 February : Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Join us for Lutheran Day at the Legislature
Thursday, February 27, 7:30 a.m. to noon
Colorado Lutheran Day at the Legislature is Thursday, February 27. We invite you to join us! The event is a great opportunity for learning, listening, and action, and will involve visits to your representatives in the Capitol building.
2020 Bishop's Legislative Luncheon & Issues Briefing
Thursday, February 6, 2020, 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - New Mexico invites all to attend its annual Bishop's Luncheon and Issues Briefing. The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. at La Fonda Hotel (100 East San Francisco).

The cost for the luncheon is $35 per person, or $30 when 4 or more people attend from a congregation or group. If attending the morning Issues Briefing only, the cost is $10 per person.

The Issues Briefing will be at the United Church (1804 Arroyo Chamiso). Registration and refreshments will begin at 8:45 a.m. The opening takes place at 9:30 a.m.

In addition to an issue update at the morning session pertaining to legislation, LAM-NM is focusing on this session, participants will be joined by Allen Sanchez, from Invest In Kids Now, and Paige Knight, from NM Voices for Children, who will lead break-out sessions. Mr. Sanchez will share his expertise pertaining to Early Childhood Intervention legislation and policy in NM, and Ms. Knight will focus on the changes to tax policy and the related impact on state finances as they relate not just early childhood and education in NM, but also to the entire fiscal landscape of state government over the last decade.

Register by emailing Lutheranadvocacy@yahoo.com . Registration deadline is this Friday, January 31. For additional information, visit www.lutheranadvocacynm.org.
Our Life Together
Join the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network!
LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2020 to the end of July 2021, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health coverage, spiritual direction, and a $535/month living stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the completion of the program.

The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, outdoor ministry, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment, children and youth ministries, and other important social justice issues facing our communities.

We gather each week for evening prayer, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in an apartment attached to our campus ministry center in Davis, CA. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply-interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July 31, 2020.

Intrigued? Learn more on our FAQ , check out our Volunteer Blog , or Apply Now ! Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Dunsworth at 530-756-1550 or pastor@thebelfry.org for more information!
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
ELCA Youth Gathering, June 29-July 3
Our revamped Official Gathering Handbook: Tips & Tricks for Adult Leaders is available now!
That’s right! We’ve taken our popular Handbook and adapted it to the 2021 Gathering in Minneapolis. If this is your first time leading a group to the Gathering or your sixth, you’ll want to check out this resource. It’s filled with tips and tricks (including sample budgets and covenants) that will make your Gathering experience an enjoyable one. You can download the book from the Gathering’s website or purchase a copy from Old Lutheran . (If you’re at the 2020 Extravaganza, you might be able to snag a copy from the Old Lutheran store!)
Videos for Treasurers and Church/Financial Administrators
Looking to learn about Portico Benefit Services and the practicalities of managing the benefits for pastors and church employees?  Your congregation must have at least one registered EmployerLink user to pay your bill and manage sponsored employees’ benefits. Note: it’s important for the people who play a part in managing your employees’ benefits to be registered on EmployerLink, and for those no longer involved to have their accounts deactivated. 
Invite your treasurer or financial administrator to view these educational videos:
Employment Opportunities
Non-Rostered Listings 
Missional Youth MInistry Leader (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

Bookkeeper (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Director of Youth Ministries
Glory of God Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO

Administrative Assistant-Communications
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

High School Program Director
Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp - Fort Collins, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
  Bishop Jim Gonia
  • North New Mexico/Border Conference Retreat
  • Bishop's Legislative Luncheon, Santa Fe, NM
  • Synod Council
  • Installation of Rev. Nat Presinger, Bethany, Denver, CO
  • House for All, Denver, CO

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson (Interim, 1/2 time)
  • Synod Council
  • Out of office available by email: dpeterson@rmselca.org

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
  • Legislative Session
  • Bishop's Legislative Session
  • Synod Council Meeting

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
  • Faithful Thursdays
  • Synod Council
  • Colorado Social Legislation Committee
  • Legislative Hearings

ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
  • 1-1 Meetings
  • Synod Council
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Synod Council
  • First Call Theological Education, Burlingame, CA

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Otium at Bethany, Denver
  • Synod Council
  • Interim Pastors ZOOM

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
  • Synod Council
  • Synod Assembly Planning
  • Regional Innovation task force

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
  • In-office appointments
  • Synod Council
  • RMS Youth Council
Quick Links
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Erin Power ,   Assistant to the Bishop
Feel free to contact Andrew Nakatan i , Communications Assistant, with your questions and comments about eConnection and our website!

Rocky Mountain Synod  
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax  303-733-0750

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